APPENDIX M.
Page 332.--_"bracelets of porcupine quills cut in fine pieces and strung in
fanciful patterns."_
The Indian method of drawing out patterns on the birch bark, is simply
scratching the outline with some small-pointed instrument, Canadian thorn,
a bodkin of bone, or a sharp nail. These outlines are then pierced with
parallel rows of holes, into which the ends of the porcupine quills are
inserted, forming a rich sort of embroidery on the surface of the bark.
The Indian artistes have about as much notion of perspective, or the
effects of light and shade, as the Chinese or our own early painters; their
attempts at delineating animals, or birds, are flat, sharp, and angular;
and their groups of flowers and trees not more graceful or natural than
those on a china plate or jar; nevertheless, the effect produced is rich
and striking, from the vivid colours and the variety of dyes they contrive
to give to this simple material, the porcupine quills. The sinew of the
deer, and some other animals, furnish the Indian women with thread, of any
degree of fineness or strength.
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